Family Blogs | Barristers & Solicitors

Stowe Family Law

• Legal Q&A: “My partner and I are buying a house together. How can I protect myself?”
  Family lawyer Nicole Turner answers key questions about buying a property with a partner when you’re not married and how you can ensure your financial security going into this position, as well as if you break up. “My partner and I have been together for five years, and we moved into a rental three years... […]
  Stowe Family Law
• Understanding pensions in divorce: what is a CETV?
  There is a misunderstanding that pensions are not part of the joint matrimonial pot when it comes to separating finances on divorce. Statistics show that only around 12% of financial consent orders contain a pension sharing order, whereby the separating couple have made pension provisions as part of their financial settlement. There is often a... […]
  Stowe Family Law
• Future faking: building a false reality
  You might have been there, sat on your first or second date with someone you really like. They start talking about the future. It could be things like where you’ll go on holiday together, or what sort of pet you should adopt. Sometimes it could be the names of your future children, or where you... […]
  Ashley Le-core
• Is everything split 50/50 in divorce?
  One of the most common misconceptions about divorce in the UK is that assets are automatically divided 50/50 between spouses. While this might sound fair and straightforward, in reality diving assets on divorce is far more complex. The court takes a comprehensive approach when deciding how to divide assets between divorcing couples, considering various factors... […]
  Ashley Le-core
• Family court fees rise again
  From 1st April 2025, for the second consecutive year, the Ministry of Justice has confirmed that Family Court fees in England and Wales will rise. In line with the Government’s proposal that court and tribunal fees should increase to reflect the Consumer Price Index, selected family proceedings fees are set to rise by 3.2%. The... […]
  Stowe Family Law
• Understanding separation agreements: A practical guide for couples
  If you and your spouse have decided to separate but aren’t ready to divorce, or are unmarried and have separated, a Separation Agreement can provide financial clarity and security for life post-separation. In this guide, we’ll explore what a Separation Agreement is, why it might be the right choice, and what it should include to... […]
  Stowe Family Law
• How are businesses split in divorce?
  The business of business can be complicated. Kate Bouwmeester, Associate, explains how businesses are split in divorce. Divorce itself is, relatively speaking, a simple, practical process. However, alongside the legal dissolution of your marriage, it is important to consider the division of finances. This is a separate process to the divorce, but it is extremely important... […]
  Stowe Family Law
• What happens when unmarried couples separate? Considerations for cohabitees
  Cohabitation has been the fastest growing family type in the UK for several years. Couples are less concerned about making those relationships ‘legal’ through marriage or a civil partnership. Cohabitation is not a legal status. Whilst there is an ongoing push for this to change, from family law professionals, politicians and other campaign groups, this... […]
  Elaine Morrison
• What is destiny belief?
  Every relationship is different, and couples in healthy relationships navigate the good and the bad in ways that work for them. Within this, though, many people have fundamental belief patterns about their relationships which guide how they move through life and their romantic relationships. What is destiny belief? There is no scientific evidence that ‘soulmates’... […]
  Elaine Morrison
• Pets and divorce: Who gets the dog?
  The role of pets in families has been a strong one throughout history. The Ancient Egyptians worshipped their cats, Queen Victoria is known for her love of dogs, and her patronage of the RSPCA and Battersea Dogs’ Home. The late Queen Elizabeth II is often associated with corgis. The reliance people have on their pets... […]
  Elaine Morrison